There is provided a recording apparatus including a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium, a support section which is displaced between a support position which faces the recording head and supports the recording medium, and a position which is retreated from the support position, a capping unit which carries out maintenance on the recording head at a facing position which faces the recording head by switching the support section, and a movement mechanism which moves the capping unit between the facing position and the position which is retreated from the facing position, and when the capping unit comes close to the facing position, or separates from the facing position, the movement mechanism moves the capping unit in a direction which is orthogonal to a head surface of the recording head.
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1. A recording apparatus comprising:
a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium;
a support section which is displaced between a support position which faces the recording head and supports the recording medium and a position which is retreated from the support position;
a maintenance unit which carries out maintenance on the recording head at a facing position which faces the recording head by switching the support section; and
a movement mechanism which moves the maintenance unit between the facing position and the position which is retreated from the facing position in a transport direction of the recording medium,
wherein the movement mechanism includes:
a movable carriage which moves in the transport direction at a position below the maintenance unit in the vertical direction,
a guide member which is provided with a guide groove that extends in the transport direction, and
a link member which has a guided section that is guided by the guide groove, of which one side is rotatably linked to the movable carriage, and of which the other side is rotatably linked to the maintenance unit, and
the maintenance unit moves in the transport direction with the movement of the moveable carriage in the transport direction,
accompanying movement in the transport direction of the movable carriage, when the maintenance unit comes close to the facing position, or separates from the facing position, by the link member rotating using the guided section as a support point, the amount of movement in the one direction in the transport direction of the maintenance unit is offset by the amount of movement in the other direction in the transport direction of the guided section, wherein the movement distance of the maintenance unit is shorter than the movement distance of the moveable carriage by the offset.
2. The recording apparatus according to
wherein the guide groove has a first region which extends in a straight line along the transport direction, and
a second region which is connected to the first region and extends along a direction which diagonally intersects with the first region.
3. The recording apparatus according to
wherein the guided section is provided at a position on a side opposite to the support section away from a line which connects a linking section of the link member and the maintenance unit, and a linking section of the link member and the movable carriage, and
the second region extends in a direction going away from the recording head in the intersecting direction.
4. The recording apparatus according to
wherein the maintenance unit is provided with a cap which seals the recording head, and
the movement mechanism is moved between the facing position and the position which retreats from the facing position while maintaining the horizontal posture of the cap.
5. The recording apparatus according to
an auxiliary link member of which one side is rotatably linked to the movable carriage, and of which the other side is rotatably linked to the maintenance unit,
wherein the line which connects the linking section of the link member and the maintenance unit, and the linking section of the link member and the movable carriage is parallel to a line which connects the linking section of the auxiliary link member and the maintenance unit, and the linking section of the auxiliary link member and the movable carriage.
6. The recording apparatus according to
wherein the support section has a support surface which supports the recording medium, and is displaced between the support position and the position which is retreated from the support position while maintaining a direction of the support surface.
7. The recording apparatus according to
wherein a center of oscillation of the support section is provided on the upstream or the downstream in the transport direction, and due to the support section swinging, the support section is displaced between the support position which faces the recording head and supports the recording medium and the position which is retreated from the support position, and
the maintenance unit retreats from the recording head to the downstream side in a case where the center of oscillation is on the upstream, and retreats from the recording head to the upstream side in a case where the center of oscillation is on the downstream in the transport direction, and the guide member is provided outside a swinging region which is necessary for swinging of the support section in a width direction of the recording medium which intersects with the transport direction.
8. The recording apparatus according to
wherein the support section includes
a first rotating body which is driven so as to rotate by a driving source,
a second rotating body which is driven so as to be rotated, and
a transport belt which is wound around the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and on which the recording medium is supported and transported,
the support section is provided to be swingable with the first rotating body as the center of oscillation, and
when the support section swings, the first rotating body continues to be driven to rotate.
9. The recording apparatus according to
a medium accommodating section which accommodates the recording medium,
wherein the guide member is disposed inside a mounting region of the recording medium in the medium accommodating section in the transport direction.
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.
2. Related Art
In the related art, recording apparatuses are used which record on a recording medium. Among these, a recording apparatus is used which is provided with a maintenance unit which carries out maintenance on a recording head.
For example, in JP-A-2011-16314, a recording apparatus is disclosed which is provided with a line head as a recording head and a cap as a maintenance unit.
Here, in a type in which a recording head moves, that is, a so-called serial type printer in which recording is completed while alternately repeating a recording operation in which ink is discharged while the recording head moves, and a paper sheet transport operation of a predetermined amount, the maintenance unit is disposed outside a recording region, as necessary, the recording head is moved to the position of the maintenance unit, and maintenance is performed. However, in a type in which a recording head is not moved, that is, a so-called line head type printer which is formed by disposing an ink discharge nozzle so as to cover the entire region of the width of the paper sheet, as shown in JP-A-2011-16314 and JP-A-2013-78861, it is necessary to configure so as to switch between a platen (support section for the recording medium) and a maintenance unit.
In addition, in a recording apparatus in which a line head is provided as the recording head, there are cases where it takes time to move the line head to a maintenance position since the weight of the line head is great. In addition, even in a recording apparatus with a configuration in which a recording head other than a line head is provided, there are cases where the recording head tends to be heavy and it takes time to move the recording head to the maintenance position due to resolution enhancement in recent years. For this reason, in a recording apparatus of the related art which is provided with a maintenance unit which carries out maintenance on a recording head, it is desired to reduce the time taken for maintenance of the recording head.
However, in the ink jet printers described in JP-A-2011-16314 and JP-A-2013-78861, retreat positions of a maintenance unit being set on the lower side of a recording head particularly becomes a barrier with respect to suppressing the apparatus height dimension. In addition, the recording apparatus in JP-A-2011-16314 has a configuration in which a support section and a cap of a recording medium are rotationally moved and are switchable, and during maintenance has a configuration which is complete even without the line head being moved due to the support section of the recording medium being moved, but in order to be able to execute rotational movement, a large space is necessary particularly in the height direction leading to an increase in the size of the recording apparatus.
An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to reduce the time taken for maintenance of a recording head while suppressing an increase in size of a recording apparatus by suppressing an increase in dimensions in the height direction of the apparatus in a configuration which switches between a support section which supports a recording medium and a maintenance unit in a position which faces the recording head.
The invention can be realized in the following forms or application examples.
A recording apparatus including a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium, a support section which is displaced between a support position which faces the recording head and supports the recording medium and a position which is retreated from the support position, a maintenance unit which carries out maintenance on the recording head at a facing position which faces the recording head by switching the support section, and a movement mechanism which moves the maintenance unit between the facing position and the position which is retreated from the facing position in the transport direction of the recording medium, in which the movement mechanism includes a movable carriage which moves in the transport direction at a position below the maintenance unit in the vertical direction, a guide member which is provided with a guide groove that extends in the transport direction, and a link member which has a guided section that is guided by the guide groove, of which one side is rotatably linked to the movable carriage, and of which the other side is rotatably linked to the maintenance unit, and accompanying movement in the transport direction of the movable carriage, when the maintenance unit comes close to the facing position, or separates from the facing position, by the link member rotating using the guided section as a support point, the amount of movement in the one direction in the transport direction of the maintenance unit is offset by the amount of movement in the other direction in the transport direction of the guided section.
According to the application example, the amount of movement in the one direction in the transport direction of the maintenance unit is offset by the amount of movement in the other direction in the transport direction of the guided section. Thereby, when the maintenance unit comes close to the facing position which faces the recording head, or separates from the facing position, it is possible to move the maintenance unit in the direction which intersects with the head surface of the recording head.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the guide groove has a first region which extends in a straight line along the transport direction, and a second region which is connected to the first region and extends along a direction which diagonally intersects with the first region.
According to the application example, it is possible to displace the position of the maintenance unit in the direction which intersects with the head surface of the recording head.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the guided section is provided at a position on a side opposite to the support section away from a line which connects a linking section of the link member and the maintenance unit, and a linking section of the link member and the movable carriage, and the second region extends in a direction going away from the recording head in the intersecting direction.
According to the application example, due to the guided section being provided at a position on a side opposite to the support section away from a line which connects the linking section of the link member and the maintenance unit, and the linking section of the link member and the movable carriage, it is possible to suppress an increase in the dimension in the transport direction of the recording medium of the recording apparatus since a space region which is necessary for displacement of the support section is disposed nearer to the maintenance unit side in the transport direction of the recording medium. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in the dimension in the height direction of the recording apparatus if the space section which is necessary for displacement of the support section is disposed above the second region by the second region extending in a direction going away from the recording head in the direction which intersects with the head surface of the recording head.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the maintenance unit is provided with a cap which seals the recording head, and the movement mechanism is moved between the facing position and the position which retreats from the facing position while maintaining the horizontal posture of the cap.
According to the application example, it is possible to suppress leaking of liquid from the cap. Here, “maintaining the horizontal posture” not only has the meaning of a completely horizontal posture, but also includes the meaning of a posture slightly tilted from the horizontal posture, that is, the meaning of including a state of being slightly tilted from the completely horizontal posture to the extent that liquid does not drip.
The recording apparatus described above, further including an auxiliary link member of which one side is rotatably linked to the movable carriage, and of which the other side is rotatably linked to the maintenance unit, in which the line that connects the linking section of the link member and the maintenance unit and the linking section of the link member and the movable carriage is parallel to a line which connects the linking section of the auxiliary link member and the maintenance unit, and the linking section of the auxiliary link member and the movable carriage.
According to the application example, it is possible to easily construct a configuration in which the cap is advanced and retreated with respect to the recording head while maintaining the horizontal posture of the cap.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the support section has a support surface which supports the recording medium, and is displaced between the support position and the position which is retreated from the support position while maintaining a direction of the support surface.
According to the application example, it is possible to suppress uncleanliness of the inside of the apparatus due to liquid which is adhered to the support surface dripping by the support surface being tilted. Here, “maintaining the direction of the support surface” has the meaning that a slight change in the direction of the support surface is permissible, and has the meaning including a state of slight tilting to the extent that liquid does not drip.
The recording apparatus described above, in which a center of oscillation of the support section is provided on the upstream or the downstream in the transport direction, and due to the support section swinging, the support section is displaced between the support position which faces the recording head and supports the recording medium and the position which is retreated from the support position, and the maintenance unit retreats from the recording head to the downstream side in a case where the center of oscillation is on the upstream, and retreats from the recording head to the upstream side in a case where the center of oscillation is on the downstream in the transport direction, and the guide member is provided outside a swinging region which is necessary for swinging of the support section in the width direction of the recording medium which intersects with the transport direction.
According to the application example, the maintenance unit is displaced between the facing position which faces the recording head and the position which retreats from the facing position due to a movement operation which includes a displacement operation along the transport direction of the recording medium. Accordingly, it is not necessary to set the position to which the maintenance unit retreats at the lower side of the recording head, and it is possible to achieve suppression of the dimension in the height direction of the recording apparatus.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the support section includes a first rotating body which is driven so as to rotate by a driving source, a second rotating body which is driven so as to be rotated, and a transport belt which is wound around the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and on which the recording medium is supported and transported, the support section is provided to be swingable with the first rotating body as the center of oscillation, and when the support section swings, the first rotating body continues to be driven to rotate.
According to the application example, it is possible to obtain a configuration for swinging the support section with the first rotating body as the center of oscillation with a simplified structure and at low cost. Additionally, it is not necessary to stop driving of the first rotating body when the support section is caused to swing, and it is possible to secure a control degree of freedom. In addition, since the first rotating body continues to be driven to rotate when the support section is caused to swing centered on the first rotating body, it is not necessary to secure the time for stopping or starting driving of the first rotating body, and it is possible to shorten the time for swinging the support section.
The recording apparatus described above, further including a medium accommodating section which accommodates the recording medium, in which the guide member is disposed inside a mounting region of the recording medium in the medium accommodating section in the transport direction.
According to the application example, it is possible to suppress an increase of the dimension in the transport direction of the recording medium of the recording apparatus.
A recording apparatus, including a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium, a support section which is displaced between a support position which faces the recording head and supports the recording medium and a position which is retreated from the support position, a maintenance unit which carries out maintenance on the recording head at a facing position which faces the recording head by switching the support section, and a movement mechanism which moves the maintenance unit between the facing position and the position which is retreated from the facing position in the transport direction of the recording medium, in which when the maintenance unit comes close to the facing position, or separates from the facing position, the movement mechanism moves the maintenance unit in a direction which is orthogonal to a head surface of the recording head.
According to the application example, when the maintenance unit is comes close to the facing position, or separates from the facing position, the movement mechanism moves the maintenance unit in a direction which is orthogonal to a head surface of the recording head. Thereby, since the maintenance unit does not slide on the head surface of the recording head, it is possible to suppress wear to the head surface of the recording head by the maintenance unit. In addition, sealing properties are high in the case where a cap which is provided in the maintenance unit comes close to the recording head and adheres to the head surface of the recording head. In addition, since the maintenance unit is retreated in the transport direction of the recording medium, it is not necessary to set the position to which the maintenance unit retreats on the lower side of the recording head, and it is possible to suppress the dimension in the height direction of the apparatus.
A recording apparatus, including a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium, a support section which has a support surface that supports the recording medium and is displaced between a support position which faces the recording head and supports the recording medium and a position which is retreated from the support position, a maintenance unit which carries out maintenance on the recording head at a facing position which faces the recording head by switching the support section, and a movement mechanism which moves the support section and the maintenance unit, and switches between the support section and the maintenance unit while maintaining the direction of the support surface at the facing position, in which the movement mechanism moves the support section at least from the facing position to a first direction and moves the maintenance unit at least from the facing position to a second direction on the side opposite side to the first direction.
According to this configuration, the movement mechanism moves the support section and the maintenance unit, and switches between the support section and the maintenance unit while maintaining the direction of the support surface at the facing position. For this reason, since even if, for example, the recording head is heavy, it is not necessary to move the recording head, it is possible to reduce the time taken for maintenance of the recording head.
In addition, since the support section and the maintenance unit are switched while maintaining the direction of the support surface, it is also possible to suppress uncleanliness of the inside of the apparatus due to liquid which is adhered to the support surface dripping due to the support surface being tilted.
In addition, by providing a movement path on which the support section moves on the first direction side and providing a movement path on which the maintenance unit moves on the opposite side to the first direction side (the second direction side) with reference to the facing position, it is possible to easily configure the both movement paths without inference from the support section and the maintenance unit without increasing the size of the recording apparatus particularly in the height direction (the direction which intersects with the support surface).
The recording apparatus described above, in which the movement mechanism moves the support section in a direction away from the recording head, and then moves the support section in the first direction when moving the support section from the facing position, and the movement mechanism moves the maintenance unit in a direction away from the recording head, and then moves the maintenance unit in the second direction when moving the maintenance unit from the facing position.
According to this configuration, the movement mechanism moves the support section in a direction away from the recording head, and then moves the support section in the first direction when moving the support section from the facing position, and the movement mechanism moves the maintenance unit in a direction away from the recording head, and then moves the maintenance unit in the second direction when moving the maintenance unit from the facing position. For this reason, it is possible to easily bring the support section and the maintenance unit close to and separate the sections from the recording head. That is, it is possible to easily adjust the distance between the recording head and the support section and the maintenance unit at the facing position.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the movement mechanism is provided with a guide section which guides the movement of the support section and the maintenance unit.
According to this configuration, the movement mechanism is provided with a guide section which guides the movement of the support section and the maintenance unit. For this reason, movement of the support section and the maintenance unit is facilitated.
The recording apparatus described above, further including a support section guide groove and a maintenance unit guide groove as the guide members, in which the support section guide groove and the maintenance unit guide groove are disposed so as not to overlap viewed from a direction from the recording head toward the facing position.
According to this configuration, the support section guide groove and the maintenance unit guide groove are disposed so as not to overlap viewed from a direction from the recording head toward the facing position. For this reason, it is possible to easily suppress the interference of the support section and the maintenance unit with each other when moving both.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the movement mechanism has a support section base which supports the support section and moves.
According to this configuration, the movement mechanism has the support section base which supports the support section and moves. For this reason, it is possible to easily configure the configuration of the support section itself.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the movement mechanism has a maintenance unit base which supports the maintenance unit and moves.
According to this configuration, the movement mechanism has the maintenance unit base which supports the maintenance unit and moves. For this reason, it is possible to easily configure the configuration of the maintenance unit itself.
The recording apparatus described above, in which the movement mechanism has a feeding screw, and at least one of the support section and the maintenance unit has a bearing section which engages with the feeding screw.
According to this configuration, the movement mechanism has the feeding screw, and at least one of the support section and the maintenance unit has the bearing section which engages with the feeding screw. For this reason, it is possible to easily configure the movement mechanism.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
A recording apparatus according to examples of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
First, the entire configuration of a recording apparatus 1 of the example will be described.
The recording apparatus 1 in
In addition, an operation section 27 which performs each operation of the recording apparatus 1 is provided in the recording apparatus 1 of the example. In addition, a discharge section 8 is provided that receives the recording medium P on which recording is performed and which is discharged. Here, in more detail, the discharge section 8 is a face down discharge tray which receives the recording medium P which is discharged by the recording surface on which the recording is just performed facing down. In addition, in the recording apparatus 1 of the example, a feeding unit 28 is provided which is able to open and close with respect to the apparatus main body 21 by rotating centered on a rotation fulcrum which is not shown in the drawings. In addition, a tray 5 is provided in the feeding unit 28, and it is possible for a user to manually feed the recording medium P by setting the recording medium P in the tray 5 and feeding the recording medium P.
Here, in the recording apparatus 1 of the example, the side at which the operation section 27 is disposed is the front side of the apparatus, and the side at which the tray 5 is provided is the right side surface of the apparatus. That is, feeding, transport, and discharge of the recording medium P in the recording apparatus 1 are performed along the left and right direction of the apparatus.
Next, the internal configuration of the apparatus main body 21 of the recording apparatus 1 of the example will be described.
As represented in
The recording head 2 is provided on the transport path of the recording medium P from the cassette 4 and the tray 5 to the discharge section 8, and in the recording apparatus 1 of the example, it is possible to carry out recording (image formation) on the recording medium P by discharging ink from the recording head 2.
In addition, an inverting mechanism 9 is provided in the recording apparatus 1 of the example, after recording on one surface of the recording medium P by the recording head 2 it is possible to record on both surfaces of the recording medium P by inverting the recording medium P by transporting the recording medium P once in a transport direction B using the inverting mechanism 9, and transporting the recording medium P to the discharge section 8 by recording using the recording head 2 on the other surface of the recording medium P.
Here, the recording apparatus 1 of the example is configured so as to be able to discharge, from the recording head 2, black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink which is accommodated in ink cartridges 10K, 10C, 10M, and 10Y using a supply mechanism which is not shown in the drawings. However, a configuration which uses another ink, a configuration in which ink from a bottle which accommodates ink in place of an ink cartridge is supplied to the recording head, or the like may be set.
Although described later in detail, in the recording head 2 of the example, a nozzle region which is formed in an intersecting direction C which intersects with the transport direction A of the recording medium P has a line head which is provided so as to be able to cover the entirety of the intersecting direction C of the recording medium P. However, the nozzle region in the intersecting direction C of the line head may be configured so as not to be able to cover the entirety of the intersecting direction C of the entire recording medium P which corresponds to the recording apparatus 1. In addition, there may be a configuration in which, in place of the line head, a recording head is provided which records on the recording medium P while moving reciprocally in the intersecting direction C which intersects with the transport direction A of the recording medium P.
In addition, on a side which faces the recording head 2, the recording apparatus 1 of the example is provided with a support section 12 which supports the recording medium P on a support surface 38 (refer to
Here, “maintenance” has the meaning including all operations for improving and maintaining the recording state of the recording head 2. In the recording apparatus 1 of the example, the capping unit 3 is used as the maintenance unit in capping and flushing operations, but there may be a configuration in which another cleaning operation such as wiping, suctioning, and the like is performed by the maintenance unit which is switchable with the support section 12.
By configuring in this manner, the recording apparatus 1 of the example need not move the recording head 2 during recording, capping, or flushing. That is, the configuration is able to reduce the time which is taken for maintenance of the recording head 2.
In addition, the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 are switched while maintaining the direction of the support surface 38. In another representation, since the support surface 38 is moved in a state in which the upward orientation (horizontal state) is maintained (at least a portion of the movement path of the support section 12 is a movement path along which the support section 12 moves in the horizontal direction), it is possible to suppress uncleanliness of the inside of the apparatus due to ink which is adhered to the support surface 38 dripping due to the support surface 38 being tilted. Here, “maintaining the direction of the support surface 38” has the meaning that slight change in the direction of the support surface 38 is permissible, and has the meaning including a state of slight tilting to the extent that ink does not drip.
Next, the movement mechanism 11 which is a main section of the recording apparatus 1 of the example will be described in detail.
In addition,
As represented in
Then, in a case where capping is performed on the recording head 2 the movement mechanism 11 is transitioned from a state in which recording is performed on the recording medium P which is represented in
As represented in
Here, the state in which recording is performed on the recording medium P which is represented in
As represented in
In detail, as represented in
That is, with reference to the facing position 13, the movement path on which the support section 12 moves is provided on the direction D2 side, and the movement path on which the capping unit 3 moves is provided on the opposite side (the direction D1 side). Then, by configuring in this manner, both movement paths are simply configured such that the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 do not interfere particularly without increasing the size of the recording apparatus 1 in a direction E which is the height direction (a direction which intersects with the support surface 38).
Here, the example is configured such that the support section 12 is movable in the direction D2 from the facing position 13, and the capping unit 3 is movable in the direction D1 from the facing position 13, but the invention is not limited to such a configuration, and, for example, the movement directions of the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 may each be reversed.
In addition in the manner described above, as represented in
In this manner, the movement mechanism 11 of the example is able to move the support section 12 in a direction which is separated from the recording head 2 (a downward direction in the direction E), and then move the support section 12 in the direction D2 when the support section 12 is moved from the facing position 13. In addition, when the capping unit 3 is moved from the facing position 13, it is possible to move the capping unit 3 in the direction which is separated from the recording head 2, and then move the support section 12 in the direction D1. Accordingly, in the configuration, it is possible to simply bring the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 close to the recording head 2 and separate the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 from the recording head 2. That is, there is a configuration in which it is possible to easily adjust the distance between the recording head 2 and the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 in the facing position 13.
In addition, as represented in
Here, the movement mechanism 11 of the example is provided with the guide groove 14 as the guide section, and is provided with the guide bar which moves the guide groove 14. The guide groove 14 is provided in a guide member 60 of
Here,
Next, the guide groove 14 which configures the guide section of the support section 12 and the capping unit 3, the first guide bar 15 and the second guide bar 16, and the support bases 17 and 18 for the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 will be described.
Here, in order to maintain the lower portions of the support base 17 and the support base 18 parallel to an installation surface of the recording apparatus 1, contact sections 57 are provided at three places with respect to a bottom surface of the movement mechanism 11 in the support base 17 and support base 18.
In addition,
In addition,
In addition,
As represented in
In detail, as represented in
Here, as represented in
Then, as represented in
By configuring in such a manner, the first guide bar 15 and the second guide bar 16 are moved in parallel. In this manner, it is possible to simply maintain the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 horizontally (parallel to the nozzle formation surface F of the recording head 2) at the facing position 13 by providing two (a plurality of) the guide bars of the first guide bar 15 and the second guide bar 16. For this reason, in addition to it being possible to set a constant distance between the recording head 2 (the nozzle formation surface F) and the recording medium P (so-called PG), it is possible to suppress the ink which is discharged to the capping unit 3 from spilling.
In addition, a projecting section 29 is configured to be in the vicinity of a center section in the longitudinal direction in the first guide bar 15, and the projecting section 29 is fitted in the guide groove 14.
As represented in
By configuring in such a manner, the movement of the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 of the example are respectively guided in the direction D at the position which is separated from the facing position 13 and in the direction E at the position which is close to the facing position 13.
In this manner, since the guide grooves 14 which guide the movement of the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 are provided in the movement mechanism 11 of the example, the movement of the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 is facilitated.
In addition, as represented in
For this reason, in the configuration, when moving the support section 12 and the capping unit 3, it is difficult for the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 to interfere with each other.
In addition, as represented in
In other words, movement of the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 in the direction D and in the direction E are respectively realized using one driving source due to the movement mechanism 11 being configured so as to be provided with the support bases 17 and 18. That is, the configuration of the support section 12 itself is simply made by having the support base 17 as a support section base which supports the support section 12 and moves, and the configuration of the capping unit 3 itself is simply made by having the support base 18 as a maintenance unit base which supports the capping unit 3 and moves.
In addition, in the guide groove 14 of the example, a leading end portion 30 of the curved section 36 (the leading end portion on the facing position 13 side of the guide groove 14) is provided so as to be tilted on the side which is separated from the recording head 2 (lower side) in the direction E. For this reason, the projecting section 29 is suppressed from unintentionally returning to the straight section 35 side (the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 being moved from the facing position 13) by being reliably held at the leading end portion 30 when the projecting section 29 is positioned at the leading end portion 30 (when the support section 12 and the capping unit 3 are positioned at the facing position 13).
Next, the internal structure of the support section 12 will be described.
As represented in
By setting such a configuration, the support section 12 of example is able to reliably support the recording medium P, and it is possible to suppress damage to the recording head 2 due to the recording medium P strongly coming into contact with the recording head 2 when the recording medium P causes transport failure or the like.
Next, the internal structure of the capping unit 3 will be described.
As represented in
By setting such a configuration, the capping unit 3 of the example is able to reliably press the cap (carry out capping) on the recording head 2.
Here, as described above, the movement mechanism 11 of the example is provided with the wiper 41, and is able to wipe the nozzle formation surface F of the recording head 2 using the wiper 41. Then, as represented in
Here, in the example, the movement shaft 42 is configured by annealing in which the spiral section 44 of iron is heated and fixed to the shaft section 43.
In addition, as described above, the movement mechanism 11 of the example is moved along the movement shaft 45 which is the feeding screw when the support base 17 (support section 12) is moved in the direction D. Then, when the support base 18 (capping unit 3) is moved in the direction D, the support base 18 (capping unit 3) is moved along the movement shaft 46. Here, the movement shaft 45 and the movement shaft 46 are configured in the same manner as the movement shaft 42 which is represented in
Here, since the movement mechanism 11 of the example takes a state which is represented by
Next, a state in which the capping unit 3 (maintenance unit) that is at a position at which maintenance is performed by abutting against the head surface 2a of the recording head 2 separates from the head surface 2a of the recording head 2 and retreats will be described.
The movement mechanism 11 is configured so as to include the support base 18 (movable carriage) which moves in the transport direction of the paper sheet P at a position below the capping unit 3 in the direction E, the guide member 60 (refer to
In addition, the movement mechanism 11 is provided with the second guide bar 16 (auxiliary link member) of which one side is rotatably linked to the projecting section 20 (linking section) which is provided on the support base 18, and of which the other side is rotatably linked to the projecting section 32 (linking section) which is provided on the capping unit 3.
The capping unit 3 in
As shown in
Here, for description, the amount of movement in the direction D of the projecting section 31 will be described in each of a case where the first guide bar 15 performs only the movement operation in the direction D1, or a case where the first guide bar 15 performs only the movement operation in the direction D3.
In a case where the first guide bar 15 performs only the movement operation in the direction D1, the first guide bar 15 moves in the direction D1 while maintaining the posture with the longitudinal direction being along the direction E, and the amount of movement in the direction D1 of the projecting section 31 at the position of the first guide bar 15 which is indicated by the broken line in
Meanwhile, in a case where the first guide bar 15 is rotated in the direction D3 without moving to the left side in the drawing in the direction D, the amount of movement in the direction D2 of the projecting section 31 is the distance L1.
Accordingly, when the first guide bar 15 simultaneously performs the movement operation to the left side in the drawing, and the rotation operation in the direction D3, the distance L1 as the amount of movement in the direction D1 is offset by the distance L1 as the amount of movement in the direction D2 in the direction D of the projecting section 31. For this reason, when the support base 18 is moved in the direction D1, the capping unit 3 moves below (lower side in the drawing) the direction E which intersects with the head surface 2a at the position which is indicated by the broken line H1. Thereby, since the capping unit 3 does not slide in the direction D on the head surface 2a of the recording head 2, wear to the head surface 2a due to the capping unit 3 is suppressed. Here, the result of a numerical value where the distance L1 as the amount of movement in the direction D1 is offset by the distance L1 as the amount of movement in the direction D2 may be a value close to 0.
Furthermore, when the support base 18 in
Furthermore, as shown in
As used in
In
Here, when the capping unit 3 is separated from the recording head 2 or is close to the recording head 2, the movement direction of the capping unit 3 may be a diagonal direction with respect to the direction which is orthogonal to the head surface 2a of the recording head 2.
Next, the recording head 2 of the example and a protective section 48 of the recording head 2 will be described.
As represented in
When the protective section 48 retreats from the recording head 2, first, the protective section 48 moves to a predetermined upward position (a direction which separates from the support section 12) along with the recording head 2. That is, the state in
When the protective section 48 and the recording head 2 move to the predetermined position, only the recording head 2 is moved further to the predetermined upward position. That is, the state in
By configuring in this manner, it is possible to record using a predetermined PG while reliably holding the recording head 2 using the protective section 48 during recording, and it is possible to sufficiently separate the recording head 2 from the protective section 48 in a case where the recording head 2 is to be separated from the protective section 48. However, the protective section 48 may be configured to be fixed to the recording head 2.
In addition, as represented in
In addition, as represented in
Here, as represented in
Therefore, in the protective section 48 of the example, the hole section 52 is cut out on the downstream side in the transport direction A in a right side portion 50 which corresponds to the leading end portion 54 on the right side. For this reason, even if the leading end portion 54 on the right side catches in the hole section 52 of the right side portion 50, the leading end portion 54 is cut out from the hole section 52 accompanying transport of the recording medium P.
Meanwhile, in a left side portion 51 which corresponds to a leading end portion 53, it is difficult for the leading end portion 53 on the left side to catch the hole section 52. For this reason, in order that the intensity of the protective section 48 be increased, the hole section 52 in the left side portion 51 is not cut out on the downstream side in the transport direction A.
That is, by configuring in this manner, the protective section 48 of the example protects the nozzle formation surface F and suppresses transport failure of the recording medium P.
Next, a recording apparatus of example 2 will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
Here, other than the configuration of the protective section 48, the recording apparatus 1 of the example has the same configuration as the recording apparatus 1 of example 1.
As represented in
Next, a recording apparatus of example 3 will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
Here, other than the configuration of the protective section 48, the recording apparatus 1 of the example has the same configuration as the recording apparatus 1 of examples 1 and 2.
As represented in
Next, a recording apparatus of example 4 will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
Here, other than the configuration of the protective section 48, the recording apparatus 1 of the example has the same configuration as the recording apparatus 1 of examples 1 to 3.
As represented in
Here, as any configuration of the protective section 48 of examples 1 to 4 described above or a different configuration, for example, a configuration may be set where suppressing of lifting of the recording medium P is provided at susceptible position by adding sheet metal or the like which configures the transport path of the recording medium P.
Next, a recording apparatus of example 5 will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
Here, other than the configuration of the movement mechanism 11, the recording apparatus 1 of the example has the same configuration as the recording apparatus 1 of example 1.
As represented in
Next, a recording apparatus of example 6 will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
In addition, in the X-Y-Z coordinate system illustrated in each of the drawings, the X direction (apparatus width direction) is the entire width direction of the paper sheet, the Y direction is the transport direction of the paper sheet, and the Z direction is a direction in which a distance (gap) between the recording head and the paper sheet is changed, that is, the apparatus height direction. Here, in each of the drawings, the −X direction is set as the apparatus front surface side, and the +X direction is set as the apparatus back surface side.
Summary of Printer
An ink jet printer 210 (hereinafter referred to as “printer 210”) will be described as an example of the recording apparatus with reference to
In addition, in the apparatus height direction (Z axis direction) in the apparatus main body 212, a paper sheet receiving tray 220, which receives the paper sheet P on which recording is executed in a line head 218 which will be described later, is provided between the scanner unit 214 and the paper sheet accommodating cassette 216.
Paper Sheet Transport Path
Next, a transport path of the paper sheets P in the printer 210 will be described with reference to
The printer 210 in the example is provided with a paper sheet transport path 222. The paper sheet transport path 222 is configured from a straight path 224, a switch-back path 226, an inversion path 228, a face-down discharge path 230, and a feed path 232 which is connects from the paper sheet accommodating cassette 216 to the straight path 224.
A feeding roller 234, a pair of separation rollers 236, and a pair of transport rollers 238 are provided in the feed path 232 in that order along the transport direction of the paper sheet P. The feeding roller 234 is rotatably driven by a driving motor which is not shown in the drawings. The pair of separation rollers 236 perform separation of the paper sheets P by nipping the paper sheets P. In the pair of transport rollers 238, one roller is configured as a driving roller which is driven so as to rotate by a driving motor which is not shown, and the other roller is configured as a driven roller.
Here, in the description below, out of each of the pair of transport rollers which appear in the specification, the one roller is configured as a driving roller which is driven so as to rotate by a driving motor which is not shown, and the other roller is configured as a driven roller.
The paper sheet P which is accommodated in the paper sheet accommodating cassette 216 is fed to the downstream side of the feed path 232 by the feeding roller 234. The paper sheet P which is fed from the feeding roller 234 toward the downstream side of the feed path 232 is nipped by the pair of separation rollers 236 and the pair of transport rollers 238 in that order. In addition, a pair of transport rollers 240 are provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the pair of transport rollers 238.
In the example, the feed path 232 and the straight path 224 are connected at a position of the pair of transport rollers 240. That is, the feeding roller 232 is set as the path from the paper sheet accommodating cassette 216 to the pair of transport rollers 240.
The straight path 224 is configured as a path which extends in a straight line. The pair of transport rollers 240, the belt transport section 242 as a “support unit (support section)”, the line head 218 as a “recording head”, and a first flap 244 are provided in that order along the transport direction on the straight path 224. Here, in the example, the straight path 224 is set as a path from the pair of transport rollers 240 to the first flap 244. That is, the straight path 224 is through the line head 218, and is set as a path which extends to the upstream side and the downstream side of the line head 218.
The line head 218 is provided with a plurality of nozzle head sections 246. In the example, when the paper sheet P is transported to a region which faces the nozzle head sections 246, the line head 218 is configured so as to execute recording by discharging ink from a plurality of nozzles which are provided in the nozzle head sections 246 on the recording surface of the paper sheet P. In the example, the line head 218 is a recording head which is provided such that the nozzle, which, as one example, discharges ink, covers the entire width direction of the paper sheet, and is configured as a recording head which is able to record over the entire width of the paper sheet without accompanying movement in the paper sheet width direction.
In addition, the belt transport section 242 is disposed as the “support unit” in a region which faces the nozzle head section 246, that is, the line head 218. The belt transport section 242 transports the paper sheet P to the downstream side in the transport direction by belt driving. At this time, the belt transport section 242 supports the opposite side to the recording surface of the paper sheet P. Then, the recording surface of the paper sheet P which is supported by the belt transport section 242 faces the line head 218, and recording is performed on the recording surface of the paper sheet P by discharging ink from the nozzle head section 246. In addition, the belt transport section 242 specifies the distance (gap) between the recording surface of the paper sheet P and the head surface of the nozzle head section 246 by supporting the paper sheet P from below. Here, the belt transport section 242 will be described later in detail.
Next, the first flap 244 is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction of the line head 218. The first flap 244 is configured so as to be swingable by the driving mechanism which is controlled by a control section 260 (refer to
Here, in the example, the driving mechanism which drives the first flap 244 is configured by a solenoid. In addition, the posture switching operation of the first flap 244 is controlled by the control section 260 (refer to
In a case where the first flap 244 has the posture in which the straight path 224 and the face-down discharge path 230 are connected (refer to
The face-down discharge path 230 is inversely curved while extending from the straight path 224 to the upper side in the apparatus height direction. Then, a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 248 are provided in the face-down discharge path 230 at an appropriate gap in the transport direction.
The face-down discharge path 230 is set as a path from the first flap 244 to an outlet 250 which is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction of the pair of transport rollers 248 that are positioned on the furthermost downstream side in the transport direction. That is, the face-down discharge path 230 is a transport path which is connected to the straight path 224, and is a path on which the paper sheet P is curved, inversed, and discharged through the line head 218.
The paper sheet P, on which recording is executed on the recording surface using the line head 218, is transported by being nipped in order by the pairs of transport rollers 248 which are positioned in order along the transport direction from the first flap 244 on the face-down discharge path 230. Then, the paper sheet P is discharged from the outlet 250 toward the paper sheet receiving tray 220.
Here, when the paper sheet P is transported on the face-down discharge path 230, the recording surface which is recorded on by the last line head 218 is transported with an upward orientation, next the recording surface is transported by being curved toward the inside of a curved portion on the face-down discharge path 230, and then the recording surface is discharged from the outlet 250 toward the paper sheet receiving tray 220 in a downward orientation.
Paper Sheet Transport Path in Two-Sided Recording
In a case where the first flap 244 has the posture in which the straight path 224 and the switch-back path 226 are connected (refer to
In a case where recording is executed on a second surface after recording on the first surface on the paper sheet P, that is, in a case where two-sided recording is executed, the switch-back path 226 and the inversion path 228 are paths along which the paper sheet P passes. Here, in the same manner as in the case where recording is performed on the second surface although recording is not performed on the first surface, the paper sheet P passes along the switch-back path 226 and the inversion path 228. That is, in the specification, two sided-recording has the meaning of performing recording on the second surface by inverting the paper sheet P regardless of whether recording is performed on the first surface.
The switch-back path 226 is positioned inside the face-down discharge path 230 by inversely curving in the upward orientation in the apparatus height direction, and extends along the face-down discharge path 230. Then, the switch-back path 226 is provided with a pair of transport rollers 252.
In addition, in the example, the switch-back path 226 is set as a path from the second flap 254 which is provided above the first flap 244 to an opening 256 which is provided at the leading end of the switch-back path 226. When the switch-back path 226 is connected to the straight path 224 by the first flap 244 (refer to
Here, a second flap 254 will be described. The second flap 254 is provided above the first flap 244 in the apparatus height direction (Z axis direction). Then, the second flap 254 is caused to swing by an interlocking mechanism which is not shown in the drawings, in conjunction with the operation of the first flap 244. That is, the second flap 254 is controlled by the control section 260 via the first flap 244 and the interlocking mechanism.
The second flap 254 has a posture in which connection of the switch-back path 226 and the inversion path 228 is blocked in a state in which the first flap 244 connects the straight path 224 and the switch-back path 226 (refer to
When the second flap 254 takes a posture in which the switch-back path 226 and the inversion path 228 are connected (refer to
The inversion path 228 is set as a path from the second flap 254 to the pair of transport rollers 240 of the straight path 224 through above the line head 218. A plurality of pairs of transport rollers 258 are provided on the inversion path 228 at an appropriate gap in the transport direction.
The outlet side of the inversion path 228 is configured so as to converge with the straight path 224 at an upstream position of the pair of transport rollers 240 on the straight path 224. Then, the paper sheet P is fed again on the straight path 224. That is, the inversion path 228 is a transport path which is connected to the switch-back path 226, is transported in the reverse direction, that is, the switched-back paper sheet P is inverted by detouring the upper side of the line head 218, and is set as a path on which the pair of transport rollers 240, which are positioned on the upstream side of the line head 218 in the straight path 224, is converged.
Then, when the paper sheet P is transported on the inversion path 228, the first surface and the second surface are inverted, and the paper sheet P is transported to a region which faces the line head 218 in the straight path 224, and recording is executed on the second surface. After this, the paper sheet P is discharged to the paper sheet receiving tray 220 through the face-down discharge path 230.
Control Section
The apparatus main body 212 is provided with the control section 260 (refer to
In addition, the control section 260 may control the operations which are necessary for executing recording and image reading of the printer 210 such as the document reading operation which is an instruction from the outside (PC or the like). In addition, the control section 260 controls discharge of ink which is in the nozzle head section 246 of the line head 218.
In addition, a plurality of motor drivers 262 which are controlled by the control section 260 are disposed inside the apparatus main body 212, and respectively control a plurality of driving motors which are not shown in the drawings, a belt driving motor 278 which will be described later, a swing drive motor 298, and a movable carriage driving motor 318. That is, in the example, the control section 260 controls driving of the feeding roller 234, the pair of separation rollers 236, and each pair of transport rollers 238, 240, 248, 252, and 258 via the motor driver 262 and the plurality of driving motors.
Summary of Belt Transport Section and Maintenance Section
Next, the line head 218, the belt transport section 242, and the maintenance section 264 will be described with reference to
The belt transport section 242 is configured so as to be switchable between a first posture (refer to
Belt Transport Section
The belt transport section 242 will be described with reference to
Then, the transmission gear 280 meshes with a drive gear 282 (refer to
In addition, with respect to the drive shaft 270, the driven shaft 272 is provided in a gap in a direction (the Y axis direction in
In addition, in the example, the width of the transport belt 274 (the length in the X axis direction in
In addition, the swing base 276 is disposed between the drive shaft 270 and the driven shaft 272. The swing base 276 is positioned between an upper side path 274a and a lower side path 274b of the transport belt 274 in the apparatus height direction. The swing base 276 extends in the axis line direction of the drive shaft 270. In addition, both sides of the swing base 276 axially support the drive shaft 270 so as to be rotatable.
In addition, a tension adjustment member 284 (refer to
In the example, the tension adjustment member 284 presses the swing base 276 in a direction in which the driven shaft 272 separates from the drive shaft 270 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 286. Accordingly, the driven shaft 272 which is axially supported on the tension adjustment member 284 is biased by the biasing member 286 via the tension adjustment member 284 so as to be separated from the drive shaft 270. Thereby, the transport belt 274 receives the biasing force of the biasing member 286 in a direction in which the driven shaft 272 separates from the drive shaft 270, and on the transport belt 274, tension is generated in the direction in which the transport belt 274 stretches. As a result, it becomes difficult for deflection to occur on the upper side path 274a and a lower side path 274b of the transport belt 274.
Accordingly, as shown in
Next, the belt swinging section 268 will be described. The belt swinging section 268 is provided with a first arm 288, a second arm 290, a swing shaft 292, a swing gear 294, a swing drive gear 296, and a swing drive motor 298 as a “driving source”. One end portion of the first arm 288 is attached so as to be swingable with respect to the swing base 276. In addition, the other end portion of the first arm 288 is attached so as to be swingable with respect to the one end portion of the second arm 290. In addition, the second arm 290 is attached to the swing shaft 292 so as to rotate along with the swing shaft 292.
In addition, the swing gear 294 is attached to the end portion of the swing shaft 292 so as to rotate along with the swing shaft 292. In addition, the swing drive gear 296 is attached to the drive shaft of the swing drive motor 298. In the example, the swing drive gear 296 is configured, for example, as a worm gear. Then, the swing gear 294 and the swing drive gear 296 mesh.
In addition, in reference to
In addition, a swing shaft 288a is provided at the one end portion of the first arm 288. In addition, a bearing section 276a for attaching the first arm 288 so as to be swingable is formed on the lower surface of the swing base 276. A bearing hole 304 with a long hole form is formed on the bearing section 276a. The swing shaft 288a is inserted into the bearing hole 304, and the first arm 288 is attached to the bearing section 276a so as to be swingable with respect to the bearing section 276a. In addition, since the bearing hole 304 is formed as a long hole, displacement of the swing shaft 288a is permitted with respect to the bearing section 276a in the swing operation in the belt transport section 242.
Here, as shown in
In the example, when the belt transport section 242 takes the first posture, the engaging section 276b comes into contact with the belt positioning section 306. In the example, the biasing force of the biasing member 300 biases the swing base 276 in the upward orientation via the bearing section 276a and the pressing member 302. That is, since the biasing force of the biasing member 300 acts in a direction in which the engaging section 276b is pressed with respect to the belt positioning section 306, positioning in the apparatus height direction of the belt transport section 242 is performed by the belt positioning section 306. Thereby, the distance (gap) between the nozzle head section 246 of the line head 218 and the upper side path 274a of the transport belt 274 is specified.
Operation of Belt Transport Section
Again, the operation of the belt transport section 242 will be described with reference to
Here, the swing base 276 to which one end portion of the first arm 288 is attached regulates displacement upward in the apparatus height direction from a state in which the engaging section 276b abuts against the belt positioning section 306 due to the belt positioning section 306. Then, the one end portion of the first arm 288 swings about a support point in the counter clockwise direction in
After this, the first arm 288 and the swing base 276 come to be in a state of being in contact (refer to
Furthermore, when continuing swinging of the second arm 290 in the clockwise direction in
The posture of the belt transport section 242 which is shown in
Maintenance Section
Next, the maintenance section 264 will be described with reference to
The base member 316 is attached to the apparatus main body 212. In addition, the base member 316 extends in the paper sheet width direction, guide members 314 face each other at both ends of the base member 316 in the paper sheet width direction, and are attached so as to extend upward in the apparatus height direction. In addition, the movable carriage driving motor 318 and a ball screw 320 are provided on the base member 316.
The movable carriage driving motor 318 is attached to the base member 316, and the ball screw 320 is attached to the drive shaft of the movable carriage driving motor 318. The ball screw 320 extends in the paper sheet transport direction in the base member 316. The movable carriage 310 is attached to the ball screw 320 via a nut member (not shown in the drawings) so as to be movable in the paper sheet transport direction according to the rotation direction of the ball screw 320. That is, the movable carriage 310 is able to reciprocate in the paper sheet transport direction by driving the movable carriage driving motor 318 so as to rotate with respect to the base member 316. Here, in the example, the movable carriage driving motor 318 is controlled by the control section 260.
The movable carriage 310 extends in the paper sheet width direction, and the parallel linking mechanism 312 is attached to both end portions of the movable carriage 310 in the paper sheet width direction. The parallel linking mechanism 312 is provided with a first link 322 as a link member, and a second link 324 as an auxiliary link member. In the example, the first link 322 is formed as member with a substantially triangular form.
A portion which corresponds to a first vertex of the first link 322 is configured as a linking section 326 (refer to
One end of the second link 324 rotatably links the movable carriage 310, and the other end rotatably links the maintenance unit 308. In addition, a reinforcing section 332 is provided in the second link 324. In the example, the reinforcing section 332 is formed in a substantially triangular form, and is provided between the one end and the other end of the second link. In addition, in the reinforcing section 332, a portion which corresponds to a vertex that protrudes from the second link 324 extends to the first link 322 side, and engages with the first link 322. Due to the reinforcing section 332 being engaged with the first link 322, when a force acts in the paper sheet width direction in the maintenance unit 308, it is possible to suppress displacement of the maintenance unit 308 in the paper sheet width direction by the first link 322 and the second link 324 supporting the maintenance unit 308 in the paper sheet width direction.
In addition, a guide groove 334 is provided in the guide member 314. The guided section 330 of the second link 324 is received in the guide groove 334, and the guide groove 334 guides the guided section 330. In addition, the guide groove 334 is provided with a first region 334a which extends in a straight line in the paper sheet transport direction (the Y axis direction in
In addition, in the example, the guide member 314 is provided at a position which is away from a region that is necessary for swinging of the belt transport section 242 as shown in
The maintenance unit 308 is linked to the first link 322 and the second link 324. In addition, the maintenance unit 308 is provided with a plurality of caps 336. The number of caps 336 which are provided in the maintenance unit 308 corresponds to the number of nozzle head sections 246 which are provided in the line head 218.
In addition, the maintenance unit 308 in the maintenance section 264 is configured to be movable between a maintenance position that comes to be in a state in which the maintenance unit 308 that is illustrated in
Next, the operation of the maintenance section 264 will be described with reference to
In this state, the control section 260 rotatably drives the ball screw 320 by rotatably driving the movable carriage driving motor 318. Thereby, the movable carriage 310 starts moving from the downstream side toward the upstream side in the paper sheet transport direction. As shown in
Next, as shown in
As a result, the maintenance unit 308 is lifted diagonally upward in the apparatus height direction.
The second link 324 also swings in the counter clockwise direction following the operation of the first link 322 due to the operation of the maintenance unit 308. Here, in the state of
Next, as shown in
Due to the rotation of the first link 322 and the second link 324, the maintenance unit 308 is displaced from the position which is illustrated in
In this state, a flushing operation is performed which is an example of the maintenance operation by the control section 260 discharging ink from a plurality of nozzles which are provided on the nozzle surface of the nozzle head section 246 toward the cap 336. Here, the cap 336 is connected to a waste ink tank (which is not shown in the drawings) that is provided inside the apparatus main body 212 by a waste ink tube (which is not shown in the drawings), and the ink which is discharged inside the cap 336 is accommodated in the waste ink tank via the waste ink tube.
Here, in the example, in the sequence of operations of the maintenance section 264 which is illustrated in
Next, the flow of the maintenance operation during transport of the paper sheet P in the printer 210 will be described with reference to
In a case where the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the paper sheet transport operation, as step S4, the transport operation of the paper sheet P is temporarily stopped. Then, the belt transport section 242 is switched from the first posture to the second posture. Here, in the example, even if the posture of the belt transport section 242 is switched, the control section 260 continues driving of the transport belt 274. As step S5, the control section 260 confirms whether the belt transport section 242 has switched to the second posture. Then, in a case where the belt transport section 242 is not switched to the second posture, as step S6, posture switching of the belt transport section 242 is continued.
In a case where the belt transport section 242 is switched to the second posture, as step S7, the control section 260 moves the maintenance section 264, and moves the maintenance unit 308 from the non-maintenance position (refer to
In a case where the maintenance unit 308 finishes moving to the maintenance position, as step S10, ink is discharged from the nozzle surface of the nozzle head section 246 of the line head 218 toward the cap 336, and the flushing operation is performed. Then, when the flushing operation is complete, as step S11, the control section 260 moves the maintenance unit 308 from the maintenance position to the non-maintenance position.
Next, as step S12, the control section 260 switches the posture of the belt transport section 242 from the second posture to the first posture. Then, as step S13, the control section 260 restarts the transport operation of the paper sheet P. Here, in the example, the continuous operation of the belt transport section 242 and the maintenance section 264 from step S4 to step S13 is set so as to be completed in, for example, approximately two seconds.
Next, a state in which the maintenance unit 308 that is at a position at which maintenance is performed by abutting against a head surface 246a of the nozzle head section 246 (recording head) separates from the head surface 246a of the nozzle head section 246 and retreats will be described.
A movement mechanism 265 is provided with the movable carriage 310 which moves in the transport direction (Y axis direction) of the paper sheet P at a position below the maintenance unit 308 in the apparatus height direction (Z axis direction), the guide member 314 (refer to
In addition, the movement mechanism 265 is provided with the second link 324 (auxiliary link member) in which one side is rotatably linked to the movable carriage 310 by the linking section 341, and the other side is rotatably linked to the maintenance unit 308 by the linking section 340.
The maintenance unit 308 in
As shown in
Here, for description, the amount of movement in the Y axis direction of the linking section 328 will be described in each of a case where the first link 322 only performs the movement operation to the left side of the drawing, and a case where the first link 322 only performs the movement operation in the direction D4.
In the case where the first link 322 only performs the movement operation to the left side of the drawing without rotating, the first link 322 moves to the left side of the drawing in the Y axis direction while maintaining the longitudinal direction with the posture along the Z axis direction, and the amount of movement to the left side of the drawing in the Y axis direction of the linking section 328 at the position of the first link 322, which is indicated by the broken line in
Meanwhile, in the case where the first link 322 performs only the rotation operation in the direction D4 without moving to the left side of the drawing in the Y axis direction, the amount of movement to the right side of the drawing in the Y axis direction of the linking section 328 is a distance L2.
Accordingly, when a movement operation to the left side of the drawing, and a movement operation in the direction D4 are simultaneously performed in the first link 322, the distance L2 as the amount of movement to the left side of the drawing is offset by the distance L2 as the amount of movement to the right side of the drawing in the Y axis direction of the linking section 328. For this reason, when the movable carriage 310 is moved to the left side of the drawing in the Y axis direction, the maintenance unit 308 moves downward (lower side in the drawing) in a direction which is orthogonal to the head surface 246a (Z axis direction) at the position of the broken line H2. Thereby, since the maintenance unit 308 does not slide on the head surface 246a of the nozzle head section 246 in the Y axis direction, wear to the head surface 246a due to the maintenance unit 308 is suppressed. Here, the result of a numerical value where the distance L2 as the amount of movement to the left side of the drawing is offset by the distance L2 as the amount of movement to the right side of the drawing may be a value close to 0.
Furthermore, as shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
The state in which the maintenance unit 308 is moved downward when the maintenance unit 308 is separated from the head surface 246a of the nozzle head section 246 is described using
A line J3 in
Here, when the maintenance unit 308 is separated from the nozzle head section 246 or comes close to the nozzle head section 246, the movement direction of the maintenance unit 308 may be a diagonal direction with respect to a direction which is orthogonal to the head surface 246a of the nozzle head section 246.
To summarize the above description, in the printer 210 in the example, the maintenance section 264 which is used in maintenance of the line head 218 is displaced between the non-maintenance position and the maintenance position by the movement operation which includes a displacement operation along the paper sheet transport direction. Accordingly, it is not necessary to set the retreat position of the maintenance section 264 on the lower side of the line head 218, and it is possible to achieve suppression of the dimension of the printer 210 in the height direction.
In addition, in the example, it is possible to easily construct a configuration in which the maintenance unit 308 is advanced and retreated with respect to the line head 218 by the parallel linking mechanism 312.
In addition, in the example, since the maintenance unit 308 is provided with the cap 336 which seals the nozzle head section 246 of the line head 218, and is displaced between the maintenance position and the non-maintenance position while maintaining the horizontal posture of the cap 336, it is possible to suppress leaking of liquid from the cap 336.
In addition, in the example, since the maintenance unit 308 moves along a direction which is orthogonal to the head surface of the nozzle head section 246 of the line head 218 in the displacement region from in front of the maintenance position to the maintenance position, it is possible to effectively and precisely seal the head surface.
In addition, in the example, since the guide member 314 is provided outside a swinging region which is necessary for swinging of the belt transport section 242, the guide member 314 does not inhibit the swing operation of the belt transport section 242.
In addition, in the example, the drive shaft 270 is a rotating body which is driven so as to rotate using the belt driving motor 278 as a “driving source”, and since the driven shaft 272 is a rotating body which is driven so as to rotated, it is possible to obtain a configuration for causing the belt transport section 242 to swing with the drive shaft 270 as the center of oscillation with a simple configuration at low cost. Additionally, it is not necessary to stop driving of the drive shaft 270 when the belt transport section is caused to swing, and it is possible to secure a control degree of freedom. Furthermore, since the drive shaft 270 continues to be driven to rotate when the belt transport section 242 is caused to swing with the drive shaft 270 as the center, it is not necessary to secure the time for stopping or starting driving of the drive shaft 270, and it is possible to shorten the time for swinging the belt transport section 242.
(1) The example has a configuration in which the belt transport section 242 is disposed in the paper sheet transport direction on the upstream side in the transport direction, and the maintenance section 264 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction, but in place of this configuration, a configuration may be set in which the belt transport section 242 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction, and the maintenance section 264 is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction.
(2) The example has a configuration in which driving of the transport belt 274 continues even during the swing operation of the belt transport section 242, but in place of this configuration, a configuration may be set in which driving of the transport belt 274 is stopped when the belt transport section 242 is switched from the first posture to the second posture, and the driving of transport belt 274 is started when the belt transport section 242 is switched from the second posture to the first posture.
(3) In the example, the maintenance operation is, for example, a flushing operation, but is not limited to this configuration, and a wiping operation or a capping operation in which the remaining ink inside the nozzle is suctioned is included in the maintenance operation.
(4) The example has a configuration in which the swing operation of the belt transport section 242 and the transport operation between the maintenance position and the non-maintenance position of the maintenance section 264 are driven by separate driving members, but in place of this configuration, one driving motor may be used to drive by providing an interlocking mechanism such as a cam member.
(5) In the example, the non-maintenance position of the maintenance unit 308 is a position at which the maintenance unit 308 retreats from a region that faces the nozzle head section 246 to a region which is entirely away in the paper sheet transport direction, but a portion of the maintenance unit 308 may set a position which faces the nozzle head section 246 as the non-maintenance position.
(6) The example has a configuration in which the belt transport section 242 is provided in a region which faces the line head 218, but in place of this configuration, a configuration may be set in which a medium support member (platen) which supports a medium is disposed in the region which faces the line head 218. In this case, it is possible for the medium support member to be provided in the same manner as the belt transport section 242 so as to be swingable with the upstream side in the transport direction as a support point. Here, in a case where the non-maintenance position of the maintenance unit 308 is positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to a line head 218 which is different from the examples, the medium support member is able to be provided so as to be swingable with the downstream side in the transport direction as a support point.
To summarize the above description, the printer 210 is provided with the line head 218 which performs recording on the paper sheet P, the belt transport section 242 which supports the paper sheet P at a position that faces the line head 218, and the maintenance unit 308 which faces the line head 218 by switching the belt transport section 242, and is used in maintenance of the line head 218. The belt transport section 242 has a center of oscillation upstream or downstream in the paper sheet transport direction, and switches between the first posture which faces the line head 218 and the second posture which retreats from the position facing the line head 218 according to the swing. The maintenance unit 308 is displaced between the maintenance position which faces the line head 218 by the movement operation which includes the displacement operation along the paper sheet transport direction, and the non-maintenance position which is on the downstream side with respect to the line head 218 in a case where the center of oscillation of the belt transport section 242 is upstream in the paper sheet transport direction, or the non-maintenance which is on the upstream side with respect to the line head 218 in a case where the center of oscillation of the belt transport section 242 is downstream in the paper sheet transport direction.
The belt transport section 242 is rotatably attached to the drive shaft 270 and the driven shaft 272, has the transport belt 274 which supports the paper sheet P and which transports the paper sheet P, and the drive shaft 270 is set as the center of oscillation. The drive shaft 270 is positioned on the upstream side in the paper sheet transport direction, and the driven shaft 272 is positioned on the downstream side in the paper sheet transport direction.
The maintenance section 264 is provided with the movable carriage 310 which moves along the paper sheet transport direction and is positioned below the maintenance unit 308, the parallel linking mechanism 312 which is formed by being provided with the first link 322 and the second link 324 which link the movable carriage 310 and the maintenance unit 308, the guided section 330 which is provided at a position that is away from the line J3, (refer to
By the guided section 330 being provided at a position that is away from the line J3, which connects the linking section 328 and the linking section 326, to the downstream side in the paper sheet transport direction, it is possible to suppress an increase in the dimension in the paper sheet transport direction of the printer 210 since it is possible to dispose the swinging region which is necessary for swinging of the belt transport section 242 (the space section which is necessary for displacement of the support section) close to the maintenance unit 308 side in the paper sheet transport direction.
The guide groove 334 has the first region 334a which extends in a straight line along the paper sheet transport direction, and the second region 334b which is connected to the first region 334a, is provided further to the line head 218 side than the first region 334a, and extends in a direction going away from the line head 218 that is a direction which diagonally intersects with the first region 334a. Thereby, as long as the swinging region which is necessary for swinging of the belt transport section 242 is secured upward in the apparatus height direction of the second region 334b, it is possible to suppress an increase in the apparatus height direction.
The maintenance unit 308 is provided with the cap 336 which seals the line head 218, and is displaced between the maintenance position and the non-maintenance position while maintaining the horizontal posture of the cap 336. Furthermore, the maintenance unit 308 moves along the direction which is orthogonal to the head surface of the nozzle head section 246 of the line head 218 in the displacement region from in front of the maintenance position to the maintenance position.
In addition, the guide member 314 is provided outside the swinging region which is necessary for swinging of the belt transport section 242. The printer 210 is provided with the paper sheet accommodating cassettes 216 which accommodate the paper sheet P. The guide member 314 is disposed above the paper sheet accommodating cassette 216 inside the mounting region of the paper sheet P in the paper sheet accommodating cassette 216.
Here, in the example, since the line head 218 is provided toward the right in the apparatus left and right direction as shown in
In addition, the drive shaft 270 is a rotating body which is driven so as to rotate using the belt driving motor 278, and the driven shaft 272 is a rotating body which is driven so as to rotate.
Furthermore, the drive shaft 270 continues to be driven to rotate when the belt transport section 242 is caused to swing centered on the drive shaft 270.
Here, in the examples described above, the line head 218 as the recording head is a type which discharges liquid in a fixed state without moving, but the invention is not limited thereto, and it is possible to also apply the invention to a type which discharges liquid from a nozzle of the recording head while the recording head moves in a predetermined direction.
In addition, in the example, an ink jet printer is applied as an example of a recording apparatus with the belt transport section 242 and the maintenance section 264 according to the invention, but it is also possible to generally apply the invention to other liquid ejecting apparatuses.
Here, a liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copier, or a facsimile which uses an ink jet recording head, and performs recording on the recording medium by discharging ink from the recording head, and includes an apparatus which adheres liquid to the recording medium by ejecting the liquid which corresponds to use in place of ink on the recording medium which is equivalent to the recording medium from a liquid ejecting head which is equivalent to the ink jet recording head.
As the liquid ejecting head, in addition to the recording head, there are examples of a color material ejecting head which is used for manufacturing a color filter for a liquid crystal display or the like, an electrode material (conductive paste) ejecting head which is used for forming electrodes such as an organic EL display or a surface emission display (FED), a biological organic matter ejecting head which is used for manufacturing biochips, a sample ejecting head as a precision pipette, and the like.
Here, the invention is not limited to the examples described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims which can be said to include the inventions included in the scope of the invention.
The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.: 2014-182424, filed Sep. 8, 2014, 2015-034991, filed Feb. 25, 2015 and 2015-13340, filed Jul. 2, 2015 are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
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